In this way one sees what a great, excellent thing Baptism is.
It delivers us from the devil's jaws and makes us God's own. It
suppresses and takes away sin and then daily strengthens the new
man. It always continues working until we pass from this estate
of misery to eternal glory.

2. Growth in grace: "I pray that my children may grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." ( 2 Peter 3:18 )

3. Love: "Grant, Lord, that my children may learn to live a life of love, through the Spirit who dwells in them." ( Galatians 5:25, Ephesians 5:2 )

4. Honesty and integrity: "May integrity and honesty be their virtue and their protection." ( Psalm 25:21 )

5. Self-control: "Father, help my children not to be like many others around them, but let them be alert and self-controlled in all they do." ( I Thessalonians 5:6 )

6. Love for God's Word: "May my children grow to find Your Word more precious than much pure gold and sweeter than honey from the comb." ( Psalm 19:10 )

7. Justice: "God, help my children to love justice as You do and act justly in all they do." ( Psalm 11:7, Micah 6:8 )

8. Mercy: "May my children always be merciful, just as their Father is merciful." ( Luke 6:36 )

9. Respect (for self, others, authority): "Father, grant that my children may show proper respect to everyone, as your Word commands." ( I Peter 2:17 )

10. Biblical self-esteem: "Help my children develop a strong self-esteem that is rooted in the realization that they are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus." ( Ephesians 2:10 )

11. Faithfulness: "Let love and faithfulness never leave my children, but bind these twin virtues around their necks and write them on the tablet of their hearts." ( Proverbs 3:3 )

12. Courage: "May my children always be strong and courageous in their character and in their actions."
( Deuteronomy 31:6 )

13. Purity: "Create in them a pure heart, O God, and let that purity of heart be shown in their actions."
( Psalm 51:10 )

14. Kindness: "Lord, may my children always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else."
( I Thessalonians 5:15 )

15. Generosity: "Grant that my children may be generous and willing to share, and so lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age." ( I Timothy 6:18-19 )

16. Peace-loving: "Father, let my children make every effort to do what leads to peace." (Romans 14:19)

17. Joy: "May my children be filled with the joy given by the Holy Spirit." ( I Thessalonians 1:6 )

18. Perseverance: "Lord, teach my children perseverance in all they do, and help them especially to run with perseverance the race marked out for them." ( Hebrews 12:1 )

19. Humility: "God, please cultivate in my children the ability to show true humility toward all." (Titus 3:2 )

20. Compassion: "Lord, please clothe my children with the virtue of compassion." ( Colossians 3:12 )

21. Responsibility: "Grant that my children may learn responsibility, for each one should carry his own load." ( Galatians 6:5 )

22. Contentment: "Father, teach my children the secret of being content in any and every situation, through Him who gives them strength." ( Philippians 4:12-13 )

23. Faith: "I pray that faith will find root and grow in my children's hearts, that by faith they may gain what has been promised to them." ( Luke 17:5-6, Hebrews 11:1-40 )

24. A servant's heart: "God, please help my children develop servant's hearts, that they may serve wholeheartedly as if they were serving the Lord, not men." ( Ephesians 6:7 )

25. Hope: "May the God of hope grant that my children may overflow with hope and hopefulness by the power of the Holy Spirit." ( Romans 15:13 )

26. Willingness and ability to work: "Teach my children, Lord, to value work and to work at it with all their heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." ( Colossians 3:23 )

27. Passion for God: "Lord, please instill in my children a soul that follows hard after you (Psalm 63:8 ), one that clings passionately to you."

28. Self-discipline: "Father, I pray that my children may acquire a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair." ( Proverbs 1:3 )

29. Prayerfulness: "Grant, Lord, that my children's lives may be marked by prayerfulness, that they may learn to pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests." ( Ephesians 6:18 )

30. Gratitude: "Help my children to live lives that are always overflowing with thankfulness and always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." ( Ephesians 5:20, Colossians 2:7 )

31. A heart for missions: "Lord, please help my children to develop a desire to see your glory declared among the nations, your marvelous deeds among all the peoples." ( Psalm 96:3 )

Above is a picture from the wonderful party that St. James and Advent threw in honor of the 20th Anniversary of my ordination. I had a great time and want to thank all who planned and prayed and payed and well-wished and joined in the festivities. Special thanks to Gil who sweated so many of the details.

I was surprised to be greeted and escorted in by a bag-piper. I was happy to hear all the kind words and even the words meant to roast. It was very much like I had envisioned my funeral will be, except I got to be a little bit more lively and engaged.

There were large contingents from both congregations: members along with extended family. There was a table of St. James Auxiliary – Corrine and family. There was a table of Advent’s Auxiliary from Old Harbour, Jamaica. There were alumni and visitors from both congregations. My in-laws, Bill and Marcia, traveled in from Ohio. My classmate and friend, Pastor Clifford Lewis, was in from Cairo, Egypt. My mentor, Pastor LeRoy Ness, and his wife Evelyn came down from Kingston. Eda and Norman came from opposite ends of Pennsylvania. A number of people had expressed to me their regret that they could not be present. There was a table of St. James Youth Group which could have benefited from some adult supervision.

Many happy memories were recounted. Many exaggerations were made – especially concerning my driving. Many events in which I served as living proof that God looks out for dummies were mentioned. Thankfully, many such events were not spoken of.

In my remarks, I drew the analogy of three students being given a major project for their class grade. Student A does all the research, thinking, writing, fact-finding, and cross referencing. Student B contributes the funding and personal support to make the presentation a success. Student C shows up on the day of the presentation and gets fact time. Obviously Student C gets a disproportionate amount of praise, glory, and adoration. It is not fair that so little recognition goes to Student A and Student B. But Student C knows, and Student C is very thankful.

Thanks to all who came, spoke, partied, threw snowballs, presented gifts, and celebrated with.